Police: Man tased after Iowa City assault

Police say an Iowa City man who allegedly assaulted another man over the weekend had to be tased after being confronted by officers.

According to Iowa City police complaints, 38-year-old Israel L. Cox approached a man near the intersection of Gilbert Street and Kirkwood Avenue at about 8 a.m. Saturday and asked if he had a problem.

The man replied that he didn't and Cox punched the victim on the right side of his face, causing pain, redness and bleeding from his ear, according to police.

Iowa City police located Cox several blocks away on Dubuque Street about ten minutes later and, upon speaking with him, noticed that he was visibly intoxicated, according to police.

Cox declined a field sobriety test and attempted to walk away but was stopped by officers, according to police.

After being told he was under arrest for public intoxication, Cox tensed up, tried to make a fist and attempted to spin away from officers, police say.

Officers had to use a Taser to subdue Cox, police say.

Cox, who has a prior public intoxication arrest, later admitted that he was drunk, police say.

Cox has been charged with a serious misdemeanor count of assault causing bodily injury, an aggravated misdemeanor count for a subsequent public intoxication charge and a simple misdemeanor interference with official acts charge.

Cox was being held Monday in the Muscatine County Jail on a $3,500 cash bond.